Binder hitch



, l I June 1.4, 1927. l G. A TRAUGER 632 013 BINDER HITCH Filed Sept. 1, 1926 Patented June 14, 1927.

unirse srA'rEs PATENT oFFIcE.

GUY A. TRAUGER, OF LIVERMOIRE, IOWA.

BINDER HITCH.

Application led September 1, 1926. Serial No. 132,992.

The object of my invention is to provide a binder hitch of simple, durable andv comparatively inexpensive construction.

A further object is to provide a satisfactory hitch of this type for bitching a grain binder to a tractor. v

Still a further object is to arrange the hitch so that the tractor is offset from the can cut a swath of grain next to that cutby the first binder.

Still a further object is to provid-e means of varying the second hitch whereby.7 `the width of out made by the second binder is varied, or the second binder may bemade to follow in the tracks of the first one as when leaving the field. Still a further object is to provide the second hitch with means for cutting practically a full swath at a square corner vin a field .when turning either to the right or left.

Still a further object is to provide attaching means whereby my hitch is readily attached to a binder.

Still a further object is to arrange my hitch so that it can be adapted to a corn harvester and the tractor can beset over one row from the standing com so as not to knock any of it down.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangementand combination of the various `parts of my device. whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more lfully set forth, pointed out in my claims,

and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan View of a tractor and a first and second bindershowing my hitch between t-he tractor and first binder and be'- tween the first and second binders.

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view on theV line 2-2 of Figure 1.

`as hitched to the iirstbinder.

Figure 3 is a detail line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 illustrates the parts of the second binder hitch in a differ-ent position as when turning to the right; and i Figure 5 shows the parts of the second binder hitch in a different adjusted position.y

On-,the accompanying drawing, I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate generally a tractor. The tractor 10 is prosectional viewron thel vided with the usual drawbar l2. A grain binder A is illustrated 'tractor and a second binder B is illustrated and the binders form no part of the inventionV and the binde-rs are of the usual make having a sickle bar 14, lateral conveyor 16, elevating conveyor 18, bundle platform 20 and bundle carrier 22. The grain wheel `is illustrated at 24 of the bull wheel at 26.

The usual binder is also provided with a stub` tongue 28 and steerable front wheels 30. My hitch whereby I draw the binder A behind the tractor 10 comprises a frame as hitched to the'V The tractor member 32 pivoted on the pivot rod 33 of the front wheels 30 and extending late-rally from the stub tongue 28. A brace 34 is provided for preventing undue up and down movement of the outerl end of the frame member 22, which is .positioned low to prevent downward pressure on theV front Wheels when my hitch is used. A second brace 36 is provided to prevent pivotal movement of the frame member 32 about the pivotrod .33 of the front wheels. This providesa pivot connection 38 spaced laterally from the stub tongue 28 and held stationary relative thereto. This same structure is applied to fthe' stub tongue of the binder B.

A draw bar 40 connects the pivot connection 38 of the binder A to the draw bar 12 of the tractor. The usual binder is provided with a pair of ears 42 and I pivotally mount between these ears a steering arm 44. I provide a link 46 for connecting the forward end of the steering arm 44 to the draw bar 40.

From the foregoing it is apparent that I have provided a draw bar 40 for connectl ing the binder A to the tractor 10 in such a manner that the tractor 10 is set out of line with the stub tongue 28 and yet there is little tendency for side draft because of line 48 and the binderiBcnts a swath to the indicated line 50.

I have provided a draw bai'. 52 connected to the pivot connection 38 of the binder B for drawing the binder P behind the binder A. On the framework 54tof the binder I mount a draw bar frame comprising` rear- Wardly extending' members 56 and a laterally extending` bar 58. This frame is braced by suitable bracing` t3() for holding it in proper alignment and is secured to the frame 5st of the binder A in the manner illustrated in Figure 3 and is clamped thereto by the bolts 62. Clevises 64; and GG provide a flexible connection between the draw bar 52and the laterally extendin` bar 5S of the dranv bar frame.

A. steering` arm 44 is also provided for steering the front Wheels 30 of the binder B Which arm is connected by a linlctit to the draw bar whereby any pivotal movement f the draw bar Will impart steering movement to said Wheels. Another essential part of the second hitch is a chain 70' extending from the laterally extendingl bar of the draw bar frame to the point of connection 72 between the dran7 bar 52and the link G8.

It Will be noted by referring to Figure l that the draw bar 52 is at an angle relative to the stub tongue 8 of the binder B and this, together with the flexible connection Git and 66 and the chain 70, forms a very important part of my invention in order. to accomplish the objects contemplated.

lVhen the tvvo binders are l'ieing` drawn forward in a straight line, the' `chain 70` exerts the greatest pulling` force on the binder B and the draiv bar 52 together with the tiexible connection consisting of thc clevises @4l and 66 pulls in part, the load of the second binder. The chain 70 and the draw bar and its flexible connection Will remain taut and the binder B will be drawn straight ahead.

ln steering;v to the left, the bitches are in# dicated in dotted lines in Figure l. lt will be obvious that steering` to the right would show the parts of the first binder in reversed position. ln steering' to the left, the second binder hitch would assume the dotted line position indicated. the bar S has been turned to a considerable angle but due to the slantinposition of the departing from *l Itl will be noted that dravv bar 52, the front Wheels of the binder B are not turned as much as the draw bar itself and the bindeiI l2 therefore ents a full swath behind the binder A. In this position, the chain hangs loosely. In turning to the right. the draw bar frame on the binder A vionld mie the position shown Vin llinjiii'e .l and tee chain 7() would draw the entire load of the binder ll with the draw bar savino" to the left relative to the linl; (3S and trie levises (i-tand (t against the bei' 58 as illnrated By this arrangement, the front wheels of the binder are not turned quickly as would be the case Without the chain and flexible connection and the binder B tlieiefore turns a comparatively square corner and cntsua full sivath of `Sglain when turning); to the i'igght. lf found desirablev the second binder canybe adjusted to cnt less than a grain and this is'accomplished bv adjusting ng mi? full swath of Cil the connection 7 2 to a different hole M of the. f

linlr G8. In making; thisl adjustment, the. chain TO is also lengi'thened ont so that the binder B will travel in a line to the right of the one shovvn in Figure l.

lhen using this adiiistnient, the grain line -l-S of the binder A v. -ll assume the position indicatedin Figure :ivhereby less than a full cnt is made by tl binder B. Itv Will i be obvious that my device can be used on binders of various makes as ivell as corn hnslrine' and bindingv machines by adapting,Y the attaching` parts to Y.fit the particular type of machine to which it is applied without.

e essential details vrhereby the tractor is o! chine and steering movement is imijiartcd -to the steering Wheels. This is desiraole -in corn picking machines in order to set the tractor overl so that it Will not interfere With standing` corn.

In case the pivot connection 38 is desired on the left side of the stub tongue, the hitch can merely be turned over and still accomplish its purpose; Corn hinders are usually made so that this would have to be done-- From the foregoing7 it vfill be seen that-l have provided a hitch for binders Without a tendenc),T to cause side draft and which can satisfactorily draw one binder behind. the other vithont leaving standing grainy at the corners of the field. i

i no et from the harvesting ma- In the draiv bar 52 l provide a hole 53 and the connection 72 of the link (S8 to the bar can be (hanged to the hole whereby the binder B follows in the tracks of the binder A as illustrated in dotted lines in..

Without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intensaid device at a point spaced from the pivotal point of the steerable wheels, connecting means for connecting the draw bar to the stub tongue 'for imparting steering movement to the steerable Wheels when the draw bar is given pivotal movement, the free end of said draiv bar being connected to said pulling means and a flexible pulling connection from the pulling means to the point of connection of the connecting means to the stub tongue.

2. In combination with a pulling means and a device to be pulled having steerable Wheels and a stub tongue for steering them, a hitch comprising a draw bar pivotedto said device at a point spaced trom the pivotal point of the steerable Wheels connect-l ing means for connecting the draw bar to the stub tongue for imparting steering movement to the steerable Wheels when the draw bar is given pivotal movement, the tree end oi said draw bar 1being connected to said pulling means by a flexible connection and a flexible pulling connection from the pulling means to the point of connection ot the connecting means to the stub tongue.

3. In combination With a harvester having a stub tongue supported on steerable Wheels and pulling means for said harvester, a hitch comprising a pivot connection mounted stationary relative to said tongue and spaced on one side thereof, a draw bar connected to said pivot connection and to said pulling means, a steering arm for said Wheels, a link connecting the free end of said steering arm to said draw bar for imparting steering movement Vto said Wheels when said dran7 bar is caused to pivot about said pivot connection, a flexible connection betvreen the connection of said link to said draw bar and a point on said pulling means space from the connection of the draw bar thereto.

4. In combination with a harvester having a stub tongue supported on-steerable Wheels and pu ling means .for said harvester, a hitch comprising a pivot connection mounted stationary relative to s id tongue and spaced ein one side thereof, a draw bar connected in said pivot connection and by flexible means te said pulling means, a steering arm for said Wheels, a link connecting the free end of saidsteering arm to said draw bar for impartmg steering movement to :said vWheels When'said draw 'bar is caused to pivot about said pivot connection, a flexible connection between the connection of saidlink to `said draw bar and a point on said pullingmeans spaced from the connection of thefdraw bar tereto. ,i

5. In combination with a harvester having a stub tongue supported on steerable Wheels and pulling means for said harvester, a hitch comprising a pivot connection mounted stationary relative to said tongue and spaced on one side thereof, a draw bar connected to said pivot connection and by flexible means yto sald pulling means, said bar extending from said pivot connection to said pulling means at an angle relative to the harvester, a steerin arm for said Wheels, a link'connecting t e free end of said steering arm to said draw bar :for imparting steering movement to said wheels when said draw bar is caused to pivot about said pivot conneet-ion, a flexible connection between the connection of said link to said draw bar and a point on said pullin means spaced from the connection of the draw bar thereto.

6. In combination with a harvester havl ing a stub tongue supported on steerable Wheels andA pulling means for said harvester,

a hitch comprising a pivot connection mounted stationary relative to said tongue and spaced on one side thereof, a draw bar frame connected to said pulling means, said draw bar frame being provided with a lat-l eral extension, a draw bar connected to said pivot connection and extending at an angle therefrom and having a flexible connection to said draw bar frame, a steering arm for steering said wheels, a link connecting said steering arm tosaid draw bar for imparting steering movement to said Wheels when pivotal movement of. said draw bar occurs,

llexible means for connecting the point of connection of said link and said draw bar to the lateral extension of the draw barV frame. y

7. In combination with a harvester having a stub tongue s upported on steerable Wheels and pulling means for said harvester, -a hitch comprising a frame member extending laterally from said tongue, a pivot connection at the outer end of said frame member,v means for maintaining said pivot connection stationary relative to said tongue, a draw bar frame connected to said pulling means said draw bar frame being provided with a lateral extension, a draw bar connected to said pivot connection and extending at an angle therefrom and having a flexible connection to said draw bar frame, a. steering arm for steering said Wheels, a link c'on necting said steering arm to said draw bar for imparting steering movement to said' Wheels When pivotal movement of said draw bfu ooouis; fiexible'fineafns'for connecting; Athe point 'of connectionfo 'said flink fand.' said draw bauto the lateral extensionof the draw bai'frame'. v

8. Inl'colnbinationwith la pulling means and a devicetofbe'pidledhaving stem-able Wheelsandfa pivotallyniounted draw barfor steering them when the draw bar is given pivotal movement, the free end of said` draw bar being connected to said pulling means` by a flexible connection and a flexible pull*-` ing connection from the pulling means to a point on the draw bei' spaced romitspivotal connection.

Des Moines7 Iowa, August 21. 1926.

GUY A. TRAUGER-.1 

